Moderate Violence
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
16 year old Jo Probert's life is spiraling out of control as she deals with her absent mother, alcoholic father, and unrequited love for her best friend's boyfriend. As she struggles to find meaning in her education, Jo enters a relationship with an older boy and begins to label people like movies, believing it will prevent disappointment. However, as she searches for control in her life, Jo must face the consequences of going too far and determine if she can pull back before it's too late.
Age
12-18
Length
252 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters' decisions to use or avoid violence affect their relationships and goals?
What alternative solutions could the characters have used to solve their conflicts?
Why do you think the author chose to include scenes of moderate violence in the story?
How did the scenes of conflict make you feel, and why do you think they made you feel that way?
What lessons can we learn about handling our own anger or disagreements from the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before discussing, provide a comfortable space where your child feels safe to express their feelings and thoughts about the book.
Use the questions as a guide but let your child lead the discussion, expressing their thoughts and opinions without interruption.
Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life situations to help the child connect with the themes and understand their impact.
Reassure your child that feeling strong emotions from the book is okay and discuss healthy ways to express and manage these emotions.
Encourage your child to think critically about the role of conflict in stories and in life, reinforcing the value of peaceful resolution and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: The book depicts characters who face consequences for their violent actions, teaching children that every action has a reaction.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think before they act and consider the potential outcomes of their behaviors.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in 'Moderate Violence' experience emotional growth when they start understanding others' feelings, demonstrating the power of empathy.
Real-World Application: Promotes children to develop empathy, which helps in building better relationships and managing conflicts effectively in school or at play.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts peacefully
Explanation: Through the narrative, children see examples of peaceful conflict resolution, as characters learn to solve disagreements without resorting to violence.
Real-World Application: Teaches children alternative ways to handle disputes, emphasizing communication and peaceful solutions.
Example Lesson: The strength of teamwork
Explanation: The book illustrates how characters achieve more when they work together, highlighting the value of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to collaborate with others to achieve common goals in classroom projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Characters in the story make mistakes but learn valuable lessons from them, which fosters a growth mindset.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that mistakes are opportunities for learning and self-improvement, not just setbacks.